Gay rights-Human Rights and Opportunities (HRO) Committee Public Hearing "Gay Right" Bill, 1975 April 3

The papers were arranged into eight series which reflect the legislative and political career, civic and community activism, and personal views of Betty Hudson.

Series 1. Personal and Political Papers, 1961-2006, undated, consists of materials relating to Hudson's personal life, as well as political activities not directly relating to her legislative or constituent services duties. This series is further arranged into four sub-series: Personal Papers, Political Papers, Awards and Certificates, and Campaign Files. Personal Papers include correspondence with friends and relatives, college coursework, materials from conferences and seminars pertaining to personal development/interest, event invitations and programs, recipes, school newsletters, and personnel records from Hudson's tenure in the Bureau of Field Operations. Political Papers include calendars, clippings, conference materials, correspondence, court rulings, directories, event programs, fact sheets, organization information, pamphlets, reports, and speeches relating to Hudson's civic activism and general political advocacy. Awards and Certificates include engraved plaques, framed and unframed certificates, and trophies Hudson received in recognition for her advocacy and service. Campaign Files document Hudson's campaign for the Madison Board of Selectmen in 1972, her campaigns for the State Senate in 1974 and 1976, and her decision not to seek re-election in 1978. Materials in this sub-series include clippings, correspondence, fundraising letters and raffle efforts, notes, reports, and treasurer's receipts. This sub-series also contains advertisements, bumper stickers, fliers, and leaflets from other 1970s Democratic political candidates, ranging from the town level to the president of the United States.

Series 2. Legislative Records, 1969-1993, undated, consists of transcripts, testimonies, notes, and materials that Hudson gathered pertaining to legislation regarding abortion access, gay rights, gender title, sexual orientation, human rights, and other subjects. This series also includes Connecticut General Assembly handbooks, manuals, and indexes.

Series 3. Constituent Services Files, 1973-1990, undated, contains correspondence from constituents as well as Hudson's replies. It also includes memoranda she sent to Governors Grasso and O'Neill regularly about constituent issues.

Series 4. Press Files, 1962-2006, undated, consists of materials and commentary about feminist and social issues important to Hudson. This series is further arranged into three sub-series: Clippings, Newsletters, and Press Releases. Clippings include articles, columns, editorials, and political cartoons. These are arranged chronologically where possible, with undated items arranged alphabetically by subject. Some oversize items, including full newspapers, magazines, and a calendar, are stored together in a separate box. Newsletters are arranged alphabetically by title. Press Releases are arranged chronologically, and also include a TV show transcript and dictation procedures.

Series 5. Publications, 1976-1987, contains two books. One is by Kate Millett and chronicles a lesbian relationship. The other is by Evan Woollacott and chronicles the history of the Simsbury Town Meeting.

Series 6. Photographs, 1971-2004, undated, consists of both color and black-and-white photographs documenting Hudson's personal and political activities. These include political demonstrations and campaigns, solo and group portraits, professional publicity shots of Hudson working in her office, and candid photographs of various events and gatherings Hudson attended.

Series 7. Audiovisual, 2006, contains one DVD which records the Connecticut Network's Connecticut Central State University Case Study Forum on Gay Rights Legislation.

Series 8. Artifacts, circa 1970s-1990, undated, includes badges from conferences and meetings Hudson attended as a State Senator, buttons from political campaigns, oversize official citations and statements, and other unique ephemera such as a chip from the marble block used to carve the commemorative statue of Governor Ella Grasso, a paperweight made of a piece of metal bar from the former New Haven Jail, a personalized signature stamp, a caricature portrait of Hudson, and a "female power" symbol patch.

Restricted, 1961-1984, undated, contains a life insurance policy for Betty Hudson, as well as school reports and papers for Leigh Hudson and Todd Hudson.